Italian bombers Savoia-Marchetti S.79 in flight over a valley on a mountainous region of Italian mainland at the beginning of the war. Victor Sierra

Flying formation

One of the very few three engines bombers Cant-Z-1007bis “Alcione” of Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR), the Air Force of Repubblica Sociale Italiana (RSI), the Italian Fascist Republic founded by Benito Mussolini on late Autumn 1943 in the Italy not again occupied by Allies. The photo, taken in a Northern Italy’s airport on 1944 - in background a torpedo-bomber Savoia-Marchetti S.79 with the ANR’s colors - depict many particulars of the front of this elegant bomber designed by Filippo Zappata. Note, for example, the long exhaust pipe of central engine, and, under the fuselage, the bombardier’s station. Victor Sierra

A bomber’s nose

The Italian Duce Benito Mussolini at Ciampino Airport watching the damages suffered by at the time the main Rome’s airfield during the American bombardment of Italy’s Capital on July 19, 1943. One of the last public appearances of Duce before his resign on July 25, 1943. Victor Sierra